The TSC Canoe Tripping Program

For many years, both Ahmek and Wapomeo campers had become familiar with canoe tripping in Algonquin Park. The trips in Algonquin had been so successful that the interest to travel outside the park arose. The approaching 1967 Centennial of Confederation had the Canadian Camping Association encouraging camps to explore sections of the cross-Canada canoe route travelled by the voyageurs.

The Quetico region was chosen in 1965 for TSC campers to take a 21 day trip; the first long trip outside of Algonquin Park. The voyage was to begin with a bus ride to North Bay, a train to Quetico, three weeks of tripping, a 15km portage, and end with a 5-day bus trip back to camp. Quetico was a huge success, and has ever since, survived as TSC’s most popular canoe trip.

“The Outpost”

In 1969, as a precaution from the provincial government’s threat of revoking all commercial leases in the park, the TSC company purchased a small parcel of land in Temagami to move the camp. It would be called “The Outpost.” This land was home to an abandoned fishing lodge that was not accessible by land, and was much smaller than the spot in Algonquin Park.

In 1973, the government extended the leases of all camps in the park granting great relief to all camp enthusiasts. After the new lease was conceded, the camps retained ownership of the Temagami site, opening the door to a whole new region for TSC tripping. The Outpost served as a transportation hub, food & medical provider, and base camp for long trips, outside of Algonquin. Today the Outpost stands complete with several cabins, a gorgeous main lodge, and a blissful sauna. It has since, allowed campers to experience longer trips that diffused from further away and explore other areas of the Canadian wilderness. Trips such as Kipawa, Bisco, and all Temagami trips would not be possible without the Outpost.

The Outpost remains one of TSC’s hidden treasures that has allowed the tripping program to become unrivalled by any other, and is cherished by all who get the chance to make its acquaintance.

A Third Generation of Statten

By 1975, Couchie and her husband Dr. Harry Ebbs decided it was time to retire from being director at Wapomeo.  In 1976, Taylor Statten III or “Tike” moved to Wapomeo with his wife Sue to take on the director position.

In Dr. Tay’s final years as camp director, Ahmek and Wapomeo had the distinction of caring for the sons and daughter of three Canadian Prime Ministers. Prime Minister Trudeau, a former Ahmek camper himself (and yes, we taught him the renowned "Ahmek J-stroke"), sent Justin, Alexandre (Sasha) and Michel (Mike) to Ahmek. Both Justin and Mike eventually became counsellors. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney sent Ben, Caroline and Mark to TSC and visited them via helicopter in 1987. Prime Minister John Turner also sent his son Michael for a couple summers.

Also In 1987, word was received that the beloved Dr. Tay would be honoured with the Order of Canada. While TSC’s reputation continued to grow, so did both the in-camp and canoe-tripping programs with new buildings, new activities, and new canoe trips!

In 1988, Tike became director of Camp Ahmek and of the Taylor Statten Camps and continues to this day in these capacities. 

Following in the family footsteps, Tike's son, Taylor Statten IV, formally assumed the role as Director of Business Operations in 2003. He continues to manage the company's finances and day to day operations in his current role as Managing Director.

Fundamentally,TSC Remains the Same...

In recent years, camp has modified some of its ways to accommodate the modern day family lifestyle. Try-out camp was arranged for campers who could not come for a full month. The Bursary Fund was set up for underprivileged children to attend camp. A new ‘green’ policy was applied to reduce the environmental impact of the camp and its trips. The camps still emphasize individual development, leadership skills, basic core values, and group co-operation. The original philosophy written by the Chief has been passed down through four generations and prevails today. Of all the small adjustments that TSC has made, however, the same fundamental principles and philosophies employed throughout its history, continue. TSC indeed remains very much the same.